Call it denial, but regardless of a lockout(s), sports continue to make me happy. However residents of Seattle and/or Supersonics fans, July 2 probably does not emit the same feeling. On this day three years ago, the franchise left the Pacific Northwest for Oklahoma City in what became sports’ equivalent of the Brad Pitt (the team), Angelina Jolie (OKC) and Jennifer Aniston (Seattle) love triangle. True story, I once met this guy that worked for Seattle’s city government who proceeded to tell an in-depth story of how the move went down. To make a long fable much shorter, many residents of the “Emerald City” refrain from addressing the situation at any length due to the raw emotions involved with the team and their departure.

By the end of our conversation, this gentleman literally had tears streaming down his face as he attempted to convince myself and anyone who would listen Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp were the greatest duo to ever step on hardwood. Granted, while it is not the Colts leaving Baltimore-type level of betrayal, it is an overall a sad sequence of events and result for one of America’s finer cities (from what I hear).

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the spectrum, Ed The Sports Fan and Skip Bayless have not stopped smiling since.

Join The Discussion

I’m sorry, but it’s hard for me to conjure sympathy for Seattle fans. Try being a Cleveland fan, Seattle. Try it. For one day.

Art Modell’s moving the Browns to Baltimore was far more sinister. Imagine seeing the former Brownies then win the Super Bowl five years later. That fat fuck still can’t walk into Ohio without a full-fledged Secret Service entourage protecting him.

At least you have a beautiful city.

07.02.11 at 10:09 pm

J. Tinsley

The only man more hated in Ohio than LeBron.

07.02.11 at 10:17 pm

Who Pooted?

You meet THE most interesting people lol.

07.02.11 at 10:21 pm

Ryan J.

@Tins

It’s actually very true. LeBron is still hated, no doubt. He forever will be. However, he’s a local kid, so he’s always an “Ohioan” in theory. And as much as it pains me that he left, there was legitimate reason to. He wasn’t going to win in Cleveland. It took me a year to come to that conclusion, but that organization is a shit show. Still is to a certain degree.

Art Modell is the most hated man in northeast Ohio, hands down. He–like LeBron–sold out the city, but he took an entire organization with him. Although the new Browns have retained the 70+ year history, it (obviously) hasn’t been the same since the original foundation left. That’s a damn shame since the NFL and American professional football started in the area.

07.02.11 at 10:41 pm

AJ

I pretty much agree w. Ryan. Tell em kid!!!

07.02.11 at 11:18 pm

Jetlife

#smoke1forspitta

07.03.11 at 12:13 am

khoff

#section80 is more important where is the review

07.03.11 at 12:26 am

Terrail (aka Bo Smackson)

That screen cap says everything. This is begging for a 30 for 30. Seattle got shafted. I remember hearing something about the Super Sonic’s mascot would go to Thunder games and have some kinda sign.

07.03.11 at 1:14 am

Willie P

Ryan you could be the most logical Cleveland fan i’ve come across..and that picture of MJ lookin back at GP and Shawn is a sinister as it is hilarious. I showed my lil cousin a Sonics snapback the other day and he said “Seattle had a basketball team?….oh yeah, I forgot about them.”

This would be a top five 30-for-30 documentary.

07.03.11 at 1:33 am

J. Tinsley

I agree about Ryan being a very logical Cleveland sports fan, but you could feel the anger when was speaking about Art Modell lol. Not that I blame him one bit.

And yes, a Supersonics 30 for 30 is needed.

07.03.11 at 2:44 am

Creed Thoughts

True story, I once met this guy that worked for Seattle’s city government who proceeded to tell an in-depth story of how the move went down
_______________________________________________________

I suddenly feel like watching Community now. Hmm…

07.03.11 at 2:45 am

Creed Thoughts

Correction, Parks & Recreation.

07.03.11 at 3:16 am

Big545

Closet thing to a supersonics 30 for 30

07.03.11 at 4:10 am

Terrail (aka Bo Smackson)

This also brings up another good point: What’s it gonna take for Nike to retro Gary Payton’s signature shoes?

07.03.11 at 7:46 am

if6was9

Yeah for a fan that doesn’t live in Washington state it took some getting used to for sure I follow Okc just like the sonics I wish the Seattle community gets a nba team just not a second supersonic team like they did cleveland.

It’s still odd to see the NBA without the Seattle Sonics let alone have them relocate and change their name to the “Thunder.” Anyway seeing your team go b/c of factors beyond your control is disappointing. For instance, I’m pretty sure I’m one of the few Nets fans left but I don’t want to see them go to Brooklyn. The franchise got dismantled and uprooted in a similar fashion to Seattle’s so I can see why fans got so tight. It’s just another case of the NBA being all about business.